Kicking off with “Carnaval” along East Broadway, SomerStreets promotes active living, reconnecting with city neighborhoods

SomerStreet: Carnaval returns for a 6^th year of shaking up East Somerville! SomerStreets will kick off the 2015 season this Sunday, June 7, from noon to 4 p.m. (rain or shine).

By Joseph A. Curtatone

(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries of The Somerville Times belong solely to the authors of those commentaries and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville Times, its staff or publishers)

We’ve never seen as much recorded snowfall as we did this past winter. Snow budgets across the Commonwealth were shattered. Now as we enter budget season and the snow bills must be paid, some Massachusetts city and town officials are expressing satisfaction that their proposed budgets do not contain layoffs. Others are considering tax hikes or cuts in services to balance the budget for the coming year. There is even talk in some cities and towns about passing an override. But not in Somerville. In Somerville, we planned for this. We saved for this. We were ready for this. So forget about avoiding layoffs or cuts in services—we’re still able to strategically adding staff to improve services. While other communities are stalling out or taking steps backward, we are continuing to move forward. Our proposed fiscal 2016 budget that I am submitting to the Board of Aldermen this week, invests more in our kids’ education, public safety, affordability efforts, and the services that our community expects and deserves. We can make these continued investments because of prudent planning, smart saving and strategic investments. We planned for days like these—and that’s why we weathered the storm.

— Photos by Claudia Ferro

Friday night at Montvale Plaza, a surprise retirement party was held for Sal and Vito Ferrigno, of Pasty’s Pastry fame.

About 100 family members and those that worked there over the years attended, along with various distributors that sold to the bakery.

By Jim Clark

Police were summoned to the Market basket store on Somerville Ave. in response to reports that an alleged shoplifter had threatened employees with a knife last Thursday.

Ward 5 Alderman Mark Niedergang, the primary sponsor of the resolution, said that it is important for municipalities to show support for this type of legislation.

By Josie Grove

The Somerville Board of Aldermen resolved last Thursday to support the state bill, S.982, “One fair wage for workers in Mass.” The resolution is a nonbinding statement of support for a bill under consideration in the state legislature, which proposes to raise the tipped minimum wage to be the same as the untipped minimum wage by 2022. The resolution was approved by all nine aldermen present at the meeting.

The Board of Aldermen issued a special citation at last week’s regular meeting, commending Seamus O’Donovan, who was accepted to the US Naval Academy. The citation reads: “Be it hereby known to all that the Somerville Mayor and Board of Aldermen offer their sincerest commendations to Seamus O’Donovan Born and raised in Somerville, and active in community service, Seamus has just been accepted to the US Naval Academy for officer training. The Mayor and the Membership offer their best wishes for a bright future and continuing success in all endeavors.”

I interviewed Donald Norton, at my unofficial office in the back of the Bloc 11 Cafe in Union Square, Somerville. 
Donald Norton was the owner and publisher of The Somerville News, and now the managing editor of The Somerville Times. He is also the owner of Norton Realty, Inc.

Ward 1 Alderman Matthew McLaughlin reported to the Board of Alderman at their regular meeting last week that he has been receiving calls from constituents with rodent sightings earlier than usual this year.

By Amy Swain

The Rodent Issues Committee is making serious efforts, and getting serious results in eliminating the rats in Somerville. This year, rodent sightings have decreased by 40%. Although rats continue to be a problem, the committee has plans to continue the trend in 2015.

Members of the public joined with officials for the raising of the rainbow flag last week, signifying solidarity among all Somerville residents with the LGBTQ community.

By Patrick McDonagh

A crowd of students, community members, state and city officials gathered to raise a rainbow flag on the City Hall concourse last Wednesday. Proudly posing for a photo, the colorful flag was pulled taught by Somerville’s Mayor Joe Curtatone, Student Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) member Sam Williams, and Somerville’s LGBTQ community liaison Andra Oshinsky; all taking the podium to address attendees in support of the LGBTQ flag raising.

Tonight, the President of the Board of Alderman, Alderman at Large Bill White will be having his campaign kickoff party for his re-election, which is coming up this year. Wednesday, June 3 from 6-8 p.m. at the Cantina La Mexicana, 247 Washington Street (at the beginning of the plaza at Union Sq). Bill has been re-elected President of the Board now for three years in a row and it’s obvious to everyone he knows the rules and how to run an affective as well as productive meeting. Bill has served the entire city as Alderman At Large and wherever duty calls Bill is there, and on top of the issues as well. Just as importantly, Bill is a constituent’s Alderman, representing all of us here in the Ville. Bill does his job well and it’s hard to find anyone that doesn’t like him or appreciate what he’s done for the city. Help support his bid for re-election. Show up and let him know how much we appreciate his independent representation.